Enabling the transition to a bio-economy: Innovation system dynamics and policy

Enabling the transition to a bio-economy: Innovation system dynamics and policy

This research project has focused on the following question: “What promotes and hinders transition pathways to the development and deployment of integrated biorefineries in Sweden?” Contributing to the literature on sustainability transitions, the project examines the role of incumbent and emergent industries, policy regulations, and regional context in a transition to biorefineries and biofuels. The project seeks to answer the following research sub-questions:

How do different Swedish firms and industries (incumbent and emergent) react to the opportunities and threats posed by a biorefinery transition?

How is the development and deployment of integrated Swedish biorefineries shaped by framework conditions and policy regulations and to what extent is there a need for change to facilitate a transition?

To what extent are Swedish biorefinery transition pathways influenced by different regional contexts?

By comparing Swedish and international biorefineries, this will provide a thorough examination of the constraining factors and development perspectives for integrated biorefineries in Sweden.

Several scientific articles have been produced as interim deliveries within the project. Up until March 2017, the following have been published:

*Affiliation changed during course of project: Hans Hellsmark is employed at Chalmers. Johanna Mossberg is employed at CIT Industrial Energy.**Affilation changed during the final phase of the project: Lars Coenen is since January 2017 employed at Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne.